INTERVIEW Sharon Weshler on Staying Positive!
by
Karla Darocas
First Published in
www.NewFrontier.ning.com
Trying to stay "positive" in mind and heart during a
recession isn't easy for entrepreneurs. High-tech
entrepreneur, investor and deal-maker, Sharon Weshler
has a few ideas on staying and being positive and the
effects on sales and business.
Sharon Weshler is the director of business development
at Yozmot, a business that establishes and runs zero-stage,
technology-based, pre-seed start up companies that
develop innovative products. Since their inception, they
have managed projects in a variety of technological
fields, which include acoustics, biotechnology,
chemistry, electronics, food engineering, mechanical
engineering, medical devices, optics and rehabilitation.
BRIEF PROFILE
Name: Sharon Weshler
Nationality: Israeli
Current Living / Working Location/s: Lev Hasharon - a
green subberb of Tel Aviv
Type of Enterprises: Weshler run an Israeli investment
banking firm, an International Business Development unit
for Israeli technology companies and an active Angel
Club. Director of Business development at
www.yozmot.org
, partner in
www.global-marketeam.com , owner of
http://israeltechnology.ning.com
Years in Operation: Since mid 2005
Do you consider yourself an entrepreneur, deal-maker,
educator, investor – all of the above?
I have invested in a few technology startup companies. I
have secured nearly two dozen investment deals where I
was the deal maker and broker. I run online web seminars
on social business networking tools with my partner
Sarit Pery. We had hundreds of people on our May 7th Web
seminar. I even have a few ventures that are partly
based on my ideas that are coming alive these days with
my entrepreneur's hat.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q*
With this economic recession in full force, how are
you staying positivity in your business life? Any tips
to staying in a positive frame of mind?
A*
The Israeli investment market, in fact any market,
has its ups and downs. The last major crisis was at 2000
when the market crashed as a result of the Dot.Com
bubble. The people quickly picked up the pieces and the
Israeli Hi-tech industry completely stepped out of these
bad times and grew even more in the years to follow.
This crisis that we are in the middle of these days, is
bigger and harder no doubt, yet we all need to keep our
heads above the water and go through these rough times
knowing it will be over soon, probably around mid to end
of 2010.
I'm an optimistic who believes that it is all about
dedication and believing in the cause or the target one
has and to keep following your plans and dreams and all
will be good as the , market always get fluctuations.
This is what it’s all about; opportunities for new
people to enter and others to leave this train of
opportunities, making sure you keep picking the best
stops to climb on or off of – and as much as you can.
Q*
In your life – would you say that a positive attitude
is something that you inherit from your family and
social environment, or would you say that we all choose
to have a positive outlook?
A*
I believe in both positions. I grew up with a
positive attitude at home. Me and my brothers were
taught the hard lessons in real life in a good manner.
We were encouraged to try new things, learn new tools,
and find new opportunities. We have all made it and
become clean and honest businessmen, building healthy
families and working hard to achieve our goals in life.
Some would say it has also to do with the social
environment too, and I admit I grew up in a good
neighborhood and went to good schools , yet ANYONE,
given even the basic tools and environment can strive to
achieve goals. They can set out to use their heads and
friends and family and any possible resource they can
get their hands on. There are plently resources on the
web today to make it work.
On another note, I’m a firm believer in Social Business
Networking and I built a toolbar for my May 7th web
seminar with amazing Sarit Pery who is a powerful open
networker herself. She is well worth an interview
herself!
Anyone is welcome to download on
http://workshopexpertsperyweshler.ourtoolbar.com
, in it you have links to all major online business
tools and social business networks. The non Israeli
readers can discard the Israeli links in it and use the
rest.
Q*
Do you believe that being positive in your business
life can also get you into trouble? And if so – how many
mistakes does it take to know that being positive may
not be working?
A*
Positive always works, make no mistake about it! I
admit that sometimes, I was too positive and deals or
contacts failed, which caused me a waster of precious
time and some expenses. Yes, out of every "wasted" deal,
I acquired new contacts, new leads, new opportunities.
I ALWAYS look at the full half of the glass and I don't
let myself down for deals gone bad or time wasted. It is
all for the best and you can learn from each experience,
good or bad and you can gain more business knowhow. You
can know in a bad situation, how to avoid the next one.
If you make sure not to repeat mistakes you can
sometimes benefit more from a bad deal that a good one,
at least I have.
Q*
When working on a business project, does it upset you
when a member of your team or business associates is not
positive and as a result you start to feel that the
project is somehow more negative?
A*
It did happen in a few occasions. My role is to move
forward in life as much as I can. I will let no one stop
me. If a team member isn’t positive it’s “his/her thing”
- not mine. There is no room in today's fast paced life
and especially the business atmosphere to stop and think
negative. Don’t let just anyone on your team. Don’t let
anyone upset you. Make sure to keep an open mind. Try to
think outside the box and always, always keep positive
thoughts in anything you do! My 2 cents...
Q*
How does being positive affect the sales process? Can
you give a few examples?
A*
There is a saying in TeleSales training that goes,
“keep smiling when you call clients, and they will "hear"
your smile.” This is so true. I have always kept a
positive attitude in life and business life and it
surely affected numerous sale process interactions.
I am involved in the “people do business with people"
process. It is always more fun and can be translated
into more deals and a snoother sales process, when you a
keep positive attitude. Be optimistic! Smileas much as
you can and go though this life journey as a happier man
or woman. Life is great!
Any other positive ideas on this subject?
Send me your feedback
Karla Darocas info@Darocas.com
ATTENTION: GLOBAL BUSINESS & ECONOMIC STUDENTS
THE
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